ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
CBDT issues clarification on incorrect reports in social media pertaining to difficulty in filing of Income Tax Returns
Central Board of Direct Taxes  has said today that no changes have been made in any of the Income-tax Return  forms including ITR-2 and ITR-3 since the notification made on 1st April 2019, i.e. on the 1st day of the Assessment Year 2019-20. There were reports in social media that the taxpayers were facing difficulties in filing return of income in ITR-2 & ITR-3 due to large scale changes in the ITR form on 11th July, 2019.
It is stated that the software utility for e-filing of all the ITR forms has been released long back. The utility for e-filing ITR-2 and ITR-3 was released on 2nd May and on 10th May 2019 respectively. However, the software utility update is a dynamic process and is continuously taken up as per the feedback received from the users/filers to ease their experience in electronic filing of returns.
It is further clarified that the updating of utility does not hamper filing of return as the taxpayers are allowed to file using the utility which is available at that point of time. For example, more than 85 lakh taxpayers have filed returns in ITR-1 till date by using the said utility, which has also undergone update later. Therefore, the impression that the taxpayers are not able to file return due to changes in ITR form is also not correct as more than 1.38 crore taxpayers have already filed their returns by using the utility released till date. Even though the utility is being updated regularly to provide ease to taxpayers, the returns filed by using the previous version of utility will continue to be valid.
It is pertinent to state that the updation in utility of ITR forms is based on feedback and mainly aimed at easing the compliance burden of the taxpayers by facilitating easier e-filing. For instance, this year, the facility of pre-filling of return forms has been provided based on the information furnished in the TDS statements. This facility has been updated in the utility subsequently. This would substantially reduce the efforts of taxpayers in filling of return forms.
It is reiterated that there are no changes in the notified ITR forms; only the utility has been updated to facilitate the taxpayers. Therefore, the assertion that numerous changes have been made in ITR-2 and ITR-3 on July 11, 2019, does not give a correct picture.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Deep Ocean Mission and Over-Exploitation of Marine Resources
Deep Ocean Mission would not result in any over exploitation of the marine resources by the corporate houses and will not affect the life and livelihoods of fishers in the country. The Deep Ocean Mission aims to explore deep-oceanic resources and develop technologies for their sustainable use. The outcome of the program is intended to identify potential new resources and develop technology for harnessing them in future, which may generate additional opportunity for livelihoods. The Deep Ocean Mission was formulated after having detailed discussions with central and state government stakeholders.
Consultations were held with Experts in central and state government while formulating the Mission.
The Deep Ocean Mission is related to the Blue Economy. The activities of Deep Ocean Mission will help the components of blue economy such as fisheries, tourism and maritime transport, renewable energy, aquaculture, seabed extractive activities and marine biotechnology.
This information was given by the Minister for State  for Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
Central Project Monitoring Unit  in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Conducted Virtual Refresher
Central Project Monitoring Unit , National e-Vidhan Application  in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs conducted virtual refresher workshop on 2nd June 2022 as a part of Iconic week  celebration under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsdav for the officers and staff of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly for demonstrating various modules of NeVA.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Key Declaration on Climate Change to be signed at the India CEO Forum on Climate Change
The private sector is poised to join hands with Government of India in its fight against climate change.
A ‘Declaration of the Private Sector on Climate Change’ is slated to be signed and released during the high-level virtual event being organized under the Chairmanship of Union Environment Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar, on 5th November 2020.The virtual event will be available for online viewing from 11:00 A.M at the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrf17S-q0cM&feature=youtu.be .
Key industry leaders from the steel, cement, power, pharmaceuticals etc. sectors will deliver statements to reinforce their commitment to the cause of climate change and share their vision for climate action in the post-2020 period.
India is a signatory to the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. As part of its Nationally Determined Contribution , India has three quantitative climate change goals viz. reduction in the emissions intensity of Gross Domestic Product  by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 level, achieving about 40 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030 and creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
The private sector plays pivotal role in creating low-carbon sustainable economies and has embarked on a number of voluntary actions on climate change that can contribute towards achieving India’s NDC goals. The private sector also benefitted from India’s participation in Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol and going forward Article 6 of the Paris Agreement offers further opportunities for meeting the climate change and sustainable development objectives.
A coordinated response by the Government and private sector on climate change will help protect the country’s interests and ensure that India is on track towards meeting its climate change obligations under the Paris Agreement.
The India CEO Forum on Climate Change is all set to forge long standing and sustainable partnership between the Government and private sector in the field of climate change. The event will be live at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrf17S-q0cM&feature=youtu.be
Ministry of Defence
Army Launches E Car to Combat Pollution
The Indian Army in step with government policies on environmental protection has launched an ecological initiative with employing E Cars for use of its officials in New Delhi in partnership with Energy Efficiency Services Ltd , a joint Venture of Central PSUs under Ministry of Power. The introduction of E-Car in Army at Delhi was visualised on World Environment Day and launched on 01 Aug 2019 with flagging off the first lot of E-Cars for Indian Army by QMG, Lt Gen Gopal R. Army plans to operate the first batch of 10 E-Cars as a pilot project and develop further on this initiative and increase the number of E Cars in Delhi to ensure economy, efficiency and minimal emissions.
It is pertinent to mention that Army has always been at the forefront of environmental initiatives. Indian Army has a large number of Territorial Army Battalions  which have done a yeoman service in environmental protection initiatives such as forestation. Army units posted in remote and ecologically sensitive areas from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari have been carrying out various activities in close coordination with local populace to conserve the ecological balance and protect the environment.
Air pollution has been a major challenge in Delhi. Governments across the World are investing a lot of resources in fighting this menace. Electric vehicle technology has proved to be a viable alternative by reducing the carbon emission footprint. Indian companies like Tata Motors and Mahindra have taken a lead in R&D and manufacturing of Electric Cars. EESL has been the main facilitator in providing these vehicles to various Government agencies. Army’s initiative in encouraging these electric vehicles will go a long way in further development of this technology and its adoption for the general public in near future.
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Ministry of Defence
Union Public Service Commission declares the final result of Combined Defence Services Examination , 2022
Union Public Service Commission has declared the final results of the Combined Defence Services Examination , 2022. The lists are in order of merit of 204 candidates  who have qualified the written results of the Combined Defence Services Examination , September, 2022 and SSB interviews held by the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence for admission to Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala and Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.
The results are available on the website of the Commission . There are some common candidates in the three lists for various courses. However, marks of the candidates will be available on the website after declaration of final result of Officers' Training Academy  for Combined Defence Services Examination , 2022.
The results of Medical examination have not been taken into account while preparing these lists. Verification of date of birth and educational qualifications of these candidates is still under process. The candidature of all these candidates is, therefore, Provisional on this account.
The number of vacancies, as intimated by the Government is 100 for Indian Military Academy [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC 'C' Certificates  holders), 22 for Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala Executive Branch /Hydro [including 03 vacancies for NCC 'C' Certificate  holders] and 32 for Air Force Academy, Hyderabad [03 vacancies are reserved for NCC 'C' Certificate  holders through NCC Spl. Entry).
Candidates are requested to forward their certificates, in original, in support of Date of Birth/Educational qualification etc. as claimed by them, along with attested copies thereof to Army Headquarters /Naval Headquarters /Air Headquarters, as per their first choice. In case, there is any change of address, the candidates are advised to promptly intimate the concerned headquarters.
For any further information, the candidates may contact Facilitation Counter near Gate 'C' of the Commission's Office, either in person or on telephone Nos.011- 23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 between 10:00 hours and 17:00 hours on any working day.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Major Ports Register Positive Growth of 5.12% During April to September, 2018 as Against the Same Period Last Year
The major ports in India have recorded a growth of 5.12% and together handled 343.26 Million Tonnes of cargo during the period April to September, 2018 as against 326.54 Million Tonnes handled during the corresponding period of previous year.
For the period from April ‘17- September 2018, Nine Ports , Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Kamarajar, Chennai, Cochin, New Mangalore, JNPT and Deendayal have registered positive growth in traffic.
Cargo traffic handled at Major Ports:
- The highest growth was registered by Kamarajar Port , followed by Cochin, Paradip ,Haldia  and Deendayal 
- Kamarajar Port growth was mainly due to increase in traffic of OtherMisc. Cargo by 39.77%, Other Liquids , POL by14.67%. and Thermal & Steam Coal by 11.34%.
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During the period April to September 2018, Deendayal  Port handled the highest volume of traffic i.e. 58.63 Million tonnes , followed by Paradip with 52.90 Million Tonnes , JNPT with 34.81 Million Tonnes , Visakhapatnam with 31.76 Million Tonnes  and Kokata  with 29.97 Million Tonnes . Together, these five ports handled around 60.62% of Major Port Traffic.
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- Commodity-wise percentage share of POL was maximum i.e. 33.37%, followed by Container , Thermal & Steam Coal , Other Misc. Cargo , Coking & Other Coal , Iron Ore & Pellets , Other Liquid , Finished Fertilizer  and FRM .
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
PPP model needed to help India become $ 5 trillion economy: Rajiv Kumar
Kolkata, July. 09, 2019
India is set to become $ 5 trillion economy by 2024 and massive structural reforms are needed to reach the target, said Shri Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog here today. Speaking at the 91st Annual General Meeting of Indian Chamber of Commerce , Shri Kumar stated that the government in the last five years brought about many big reforms in particular, in indirect taxation, bankruptcy and real estate sector. Emphasizing on the Public Private Partnership  Shri Kumar urged the private companies to work jointly with the government to help India emerge the third largest economy in the world after the USA and China. He said that we need investment in infrastructure, digital economy and job creation in small and medium enterprises to achieve this goal. The Indian industry and infrastructure sector's real challenge is to bring in adequate private investment in collaboration with the public sector, he added.
India needs to be export-orient economy, he said that China and East Asia have grown by increasing investment which enhanced productivity, they pursued export-driven model which enabled them to compete in international markets.
Referring the initiatives of the Centre, he stated that the the government aims to make all facilities accessible to the poor and common people and it is striving hard to provide them with primary nutrition, basic health facilities, housing to all, toilets, electricity, drinking water etc.
Shri Sanjeev Sanyal, Principle Economic Advisor, Department of Economic Affairs, Union Ministry of Finance said that economic survey and current Union budget have clearly mentioned all the ways to put the country on development track and make it empowered economically. There are some hurdles which need to be removed. Filling existing judicial vacancies and improving productivity improvements in courts can address key hurdle of delays in contract enforcement and dispute resolution.
ICC also honored prominent Indian cricketer, Shri Yuvraj Singh with lifetime achievement award on this occasion.
Dr. Arvind Panagariya, former Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog; Shri Ravi Thakran, Chairman and Managing Partner, L Catterton Asia Advisors, Group Chairman, LVMH, South Asia, South East Asia, Australia and Middle Ease and Shri Rudra Chatterjee, President, ICC were also present among others on the occasion.
Prime Minister's Office
Vaccination Campaign of this scale is unprecedented in the history of mankind: PM
Made-in-India vaccines have been approved for emergency use only after the scientists and experts were fully convinced about their safety and efficacy: PM
All over the world 60 per cent children get Made-in-India life-saving vaccines: PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modilaunched the pan India rollout of COVID-19 vaccination drive via video conferencing today. This is the world’s largest vaccination program covering the entire length and breadth of the country.
The Prime Minister put the unprecedented scale of the vaccination drive in perspective by informing that, in the first round itself, 3 crore people, which is more than population of at least 100 countries of the world, are being vaccinated. He said that this needs to be taken up to 30 crores in the second round when elderly and people with serious co-morbidities will be vaccinated. He said that there are only three countries- India, USA and China, who have the population of more than 30 crore. This scale of vaccination campaign has never been attempted in history and this shows India’s capability, Shri Modi Said.
The Prime Minister asked people stay away from rumours and propaganda as these made-in-India vaccines have been approved for emergency use only after the scientists and experts were fully convinced about their safety and efficacy. Indian vaccine scientists, medical system, Indian process and institutional mechanism in this regard is trusted globally and this trust is earned with a consistent track record. The Prime Minister pointed out that 60 per cent of children world over receive life-saving vaccines which are made-in-India and pass through stringent Indian scientific tests.
The Prime Minister said this trust on Indian vaccine expertise and Indian vaccine scientists is going to be further strengthened by made-in-India Corona vaccine. Indian vaccines are not only much cheaper than the foreign vaccines but they are much easier to administer too. Some of the foreign vaccines, the Prime Minister pointed out, are priced upto five thousand rupees per dose and have to be stored in minus 70 degree temperature. Whereas, Indian vaccines are based on technology which has been tried and tested for many years in India. With regard to storage to transportation these vaccines are suitable for India conditions and the will help us in securing a decisive victory in our fight against Corona, said the Prime Minister.
Shri Modi termed the Indian response to corona as one of self-confidence and self-reliance. He noted a determination of not to let the confidence weaken in every Indian. He recalled the journey from one Corona lab to the strong network of 2300 labs; from dependence to self-sufficiency to exporting capacity in masks, PPE and ventilators. He called upon people to show the same sense of self-confidence and self-reliance during the phase of vaccination drive.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 72.37 Cr
Recovery Rate currently at 97.49%
34,973 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload  is 1.18% of Total Cases
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 3% for last 77 days
With the administration of 67,58,491vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, country’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage surpassed the cumulative figure of 72.37Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 74,18,183sessions.
The break-up of the cumulative figureas per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,03,62,796
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
85,55,939
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,83,35,063
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,38,66,099
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
29,00,15,880
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
3,99,36,894
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
14,12,24,670
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
6,11,18,659
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
9,19,04,711
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
4,84,63,875
|
|
Total
|
|
72,37,84,586
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country.
The recovery of37,681 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients  to 3,23,42,299.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 97.49%.
Sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs continue the trend of less than 50,000 Daily New Cases that is being reported for 75 consecutive days now.
34,973 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The Active Caseload is presently3,90,646. Active cases presently constitute 1.18% of the country's total Positive Cases.
The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of 17,87,611tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 53.86 Cr  cumulative tests.
While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate at 2.31% remains less than 3% for the last 77 days now. The Daily Positivity rate reported to be1.96%. The daily Positivity rate has remained below3% for last 11 days and below 5% for 95 consecutive days now.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India reports more than 90,000 recoveries for the 3rd successive day
Total Recovered cases close to 43 Lakh- highest in the world
India's Recovery Rate crosses the landmark of 80%
India has crossed the significant landmark of more than 80% national Recovery Rate.
On a continuous stretch of high recoveries, India has also reported more than 90,000 recoveries for the third day in succession.
93,356 patients were discharged in the last 24 hours.
12 States and UTs have registered Recovery Rate more than the national average.
79% of the new recovered cases are from 10 states/UTs.
The total recovered cases are close 44 lakh  today. India tops the global figure of total recoveries. It accounts for more than 19% of the world total.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Cites Cop-19: Huge Relief to Handicraft Exporters of India
Highlights:
- Rules for export of Dalbergia sissoo based products eased, exports to get a boost.
- Rules for export eased at India’s behest.
The 19th meeting of the Conference of Parties to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora  is being held in the scenic city of Panama from 14th to 25th of November 2022.
Shisham  is included in Appendix II of the convention, thereby requiring to follow CITES regulations for the trade of the species. As of now every consignment of weight above 10 kg requires CITES permit. Due to this restriction exports of furniture and handicrafts made of Dalbergia sissoo from India has been continuously falling from an estimated 1000 crore Indian Rupees  per annum before the listing, to 500-600 crore Indian Rupees  per annum after the listing. The decrease in exports of Dalbergia sissoo products has affected the livelihoods of around 50,000 artisans who work with the species.
On India’s initiative a proposal to clarify the quantity of Shisham  items such as furniture and artefacts was considered in the current meeting. After sustained deliberations by Indian representatives, it was agreed upon that any number of Dalbergia sissoo timber-based items can be exported as a single consignment in a shipment without CITES permits if the weight of each individual item of this consignment is less than 10 kg. Further, it was agreed that for net weight of each item only timber will be considered and any other item used in the product like metal etc. will be ignored. This is a great relief for the Indian artisans and furniture industry.
Background:
It may be recalled that in its 17th meeting of Conference of Parties  at Johannesburg, South Africa in 2016, included all species of Genus Dalbergia in Appendix II of the convention, thereby requiring to follow CITES regulations for the trade of the species. In India, the species Dalbergia sissoo  is found in abundance and is not treated as an endangered species. During the discussion it was duly acknowledged by the parties that Dalbergia sissoo was not at all a threatened species. However, concerns were expressed regarding the challenges in distinguishing different species of Dalbergia in their finished forms. The countries expressed that there was an urgent need for developing advanced technological tools for distinguishing the finished wood of Dalbergia, especially at the Customs point. Considering this aspect and in the absence of a clear technology for distinguishing the finished wood, the CoP did not agree to de-list the Species from CITES Appendix:II. However, the relief given in terms of weight of each item will solve the problem of Indian artisan communities to a great extent and will give a tremendous boost to exports of articles produced by them.